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INAUGURAL ADDRESS 



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SENOR MANUEL MURILLO. 



ON ENTERING UPON HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES AS 

PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. OF COLOMBIA, 

On the lOth of .April, 1864. 



Translated from the " Registro Oficial" of April 13. 

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WITH A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, 

By S. DeWITT BLGODGOOD, 
Colombian Consul, N. Y. 



NEW YORK: 

BAKER & GODWIN, PRINTERS, 

PRINTING-HOUSE SQUARE, OPP. CITY HALL. 

1864. 



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Senor Murillo was born in the year 1818, and is a native of the State of Toliina. Not 
favored by fortune or descent, his youth was a struggle of honorable ambition against ad- 
verse circumstances ; but with a resolution and consciousness of inherent power which mark 
the efforts of all truly great men, he persevered in his efforts to obtain an education suitable 
to his aspirations, and by his own industry maintained himself during years of application 
and study, passed through various institutions of learning, and finally left college with 
highly merited honors. He then entered upon the study of the law, and soon became dis- 
tinguished not only as an eloquent advocate, but a sound jurist, possessing a thorough ac- 
quaintance with the principles and decisions of the courts, and a memory which never failed 
him in his appeal to authorities and the appropriate citation of the law. At the same time, he 
was distinguished by his broad and comprehensive view- of public affairs, and his advoca- 
cy of popular rights. Not only as a speaker, but as a writer he became celebrated, and lite- 
rally a tribune of the people ; and was always their fearless, u; compromising and acknowledged 
friend. It was not long before he was chosen their representative in several local legisla- 
tures, and from these he passed early to a seat in the National Congress, not merely as the 
choice of a single State, but of many, for at that time, in Colombia, residence was not the 
necessary qualification of a representative. M. Murillo was therefore chosen a member by 
nearly all the States at once ; each being anxious to avail itself of his powerful champion- 
ship. He then withdrew for a time, to conduct a mercantile house in Panama, but his na- 
tural tastes and the wishes of his countrymen drew him back into public life. He next 
took up his residence at Santa Martha, where he established and conducted for several 
years — 1845, '6, and '7 — a celebrated journal, called the Mercantile Gazette, which he edited 
with great ability and success. 

Again brought into the National Congress, he became conspicuous for his fearless 
statesmanship ; and to bis personal influence and exertion is attributed the success of the 
great measure of abolishing slavery in Colombia, a step in advance of the times, for which 
he has been justly honored. Under the administration of Gen. Lopez he was successively 
Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Finance, and while occupying the latter post, introduced 
order and system into the department of the treasury and the administration of its affairs, 
for which his previous mercantile experience had fully prepared him. 

At the election for President in 1856 he was brought forward as a candidate for the 
office, but there being a division among the liberals in favor of Gen. Mosquera, Senor Ospina 
was elected, and the consequences of that unfortunate event were, for the time, the over- 
throw of the constitution, the triua.ph of the clergy, and the destruction of popular rights. 
At this period M. Murillo was unanimously elected President of the State of Santander, 
which position he gave up to assume the direction of a liberal journal at Bogota. 

During the career of the party of Ospina, M. Murillo, however, became an object of 
governmental persecution, and was compelled to withdraw to a place of security to save 
his life. 

On the restoration of the constitution through the patriotic exertions of Gen. Mosquera 
and the liberals of Colombia, M. Murillo resumed his accustomed political position, and was 
honored with the mission to France, to represent hie regenerated country at the court of the 
Tuilleries. From theace he was transferred to the United States, where he awaited a year 
and more the recognition of Colombia by the American government, delayed, it was thought, 
by intrigues on the part of Gen. Herran and misconceptions at Washington, which he suc- 
cessfully overcame. While in this country he was again nominated to the presidency by 
the liberal party, and elected by a plurality of votes. Previous to his departure he visited 
Washington, and was cordially received by the President, the members of his administra- 
tion, and the foreign ministers, making a marked impression, and becoming a favorite with 
all those with whom he had intercourse. 

In the month of March last he returned to his own country in the U. S. steamer Glaucus, 
and on the 10th of April assumed the reins of government. His inaugural address is pro- 
nounced a work of great ability, and his pledges will be fulfilled to the letter. 

Colombia has just emerged from a very difficult situation; beset by internal enemies 
and by foreign foes, the splendid vietory.'of Cuespad has enabled her once more to settle 
down into peace and tranquillity. M. .Murillo, a civilian, statesman, orator, and patriot, 
with large experience at home and' abroad, will do everything in his power to give his 
countrymen the position among the South American Republics to which they are justly 
entitled, and which they cannot well lose, unless they become traitors to liberty, and enemies 
of their own best interests. 



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ADDRESS TO PRESIDENT MURILLO, BY GEN. MOSQUERA, 

ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF TEE FORMER TO THE PRESIDENCY, 
AND OF THE RESIGNATION, BY THE LATTER, OF HIS OFFICIAL AUTHORITY. 



Mr. President: 

On the fourth of February I thought I might say that the day had arrived 
when I would resign the discretional authority which the people had given me 
for the purpose of saving the Republic, but new circumstances obliged the 
Convention to confirm the constitutional power. 

The Republic, being now constituted, has elected its high officers accord- 
ing to the Constitution ; and you, Sir, have merited to be appointed the 
chief magistrate to represent the nation abroad, and to heal the wounds of a 
bloody Revolution. In your hands, Mr. President, I deposit the baton with 
which I have governed ; and, in retiring from the government house, I take 
with me the firm resolution to support the Constitution, and to teach the 
citizens to obey the constitutional President. 



INAUGURAL. 



Citizen President of the Congress : 

In promising, in the presence of the representatives of the States and 
People of Colombia, faithfully to perform the duties which the institutions 
impose upon the President of these States and People, I assume an obligation 
which costs me no moral sacrifice whatever, because my constant political 
convictions are in entire agreement with those institutions, and with the na- 
ture of their requirements. From my childhood I have desired liberty for my 
country, in order that individual activity, by its development, might realize 
its own moral and material progress. And, as the means of securing that 



liberty, I associated myself with those who opposed gubernatorial centraliza- 
tion, and what were called " local liberties." Centralization and despotism 
were born on the same day, and with them the misery and ignorance of the 
multitudes. I also associated myself with those who favored the apparent 
weakness of governments, that they might be irresistible by the force of 
opinion, whenever it should become necessary to protect the rights which they 
feared might be violated or threatened. The nation now has, as you have 
said, institutions founded on these fundamental theories, and, for the first ex- 
ecutor of them, a humble citizen, who cannot oppose them, even remotely, in 
their free development, because he possesses none of those brilliant endow- 
ments which seduce the people, and lead them by admiration to compromise 
their liberties. And this community has also, for the security of that liberty, 
the example, so rare in the world, of the most conspicuous citizens, in whom 
ambitious liberticide might seem justifiable by the greatness of their powers 
and the opportuneness and brilliancy of their services, but who have contri- 
buted to, or accepted with a good grace, the practical establishment of popular 
sovereignty and the ascendancy of the civil power. My election, therefore, 
while I was in a foreign country, without having participated in the last con- 
flicts, is a fact of high significance, which has exalted the country and those 
who were not elected, more than myself, because it is a proof of the ascend- 
ancy of constitutional principles in the nation. It is now incumbent on my 
honor and patriotism to justify that wish, by requiring of myself, that, during 
the period of my administration, the era of pacific solutions shall commence, of 
rights for all, tolerance, the cultivation of benevolent sentiments and moral and 
material progress, to follow the agitated, painful and bloody period of the gesta- 
tion of the Republic, in a people born and formed under the influence of the laws 
and customs of that gloomy and Catholic monarch, Philip 2d of Spain. It is in 
virtue of my antecedents, and because, as you have so kindly said, I have been 
exempt from the false reasonings and contradictions of the schools, that the 
Nation has elected me the Executor of its laws, and their representative for 
the exterior ; and surely, on so solemn an occasion, it could not be that I should 
fear to pursue the path I have before followed. I hope I shall want neither 
the civil courage, nor the firmness nor probity necessary, to satisfy the hopes 
of the Nation. • 

The Congress, in declaring with unanimity that the vote of the States called 
me to the first magistracy, have given a proof of rectitude, which, while it 
tends to accredit our institutions, gives me a great moral force, which is a 
condition indispensable to a happy fulfillment of the mission conferred by the 
people. Permit me to say, that I am full of gratitude for all these acts, which 
are performed as duties, but which also reveal much personal kindness and 
consideration. 

The direction of the foreign relations, which involve external security, is 
almost the only foundation of the institution of the federal power ; and that func- 



tion is entrusted to the President. In the present state of the world, when 
the means of communication, the relations of commerce, the necessities of in- 
dustry, and, in short, the material solidarity, have so closely drawn together the 
society of peoples, that there is no one, how small soever it may be, which is 
not obliged to respect the general rules of public right, and to proceed in 
harmony with the others. And this necessity is the greater, when an exten- 
sive and rich territory is possessed, stretching out on two oceans, with valu- 
able productions, immense rivers, various climates, unavoidable points of 
transit, and perhaps of contact, between the civilization of the east and the 
west. All this imposes on me the obligation to apply myself with diligence 
to the study of our duties, and to feel the greatest solicitude to perform them 
all, even those which may appear to us the most onerous, with perfectly good 
faith and an earnest will. Nations, like individuals, need to establish their 
reputation on solid bases ; and there is nothing more solid than probity, and 
nothing so prejudicial or despicable as a system of transient expedients, false- 
hood and restrictions, which has sometimes tried to pass for patriotism, or for 
skill in eluding obligations contracted, to defer their performance. I know 
that at the present time, thanks to the good faith with which this business has 
been conducted by the government, and the rectitude with which the diplomatic 
agents of friendly nations, residing in this capital, have acted, no pending diffi- 
culty exists which might compromise our exterior peace. Notwithstanding 
the general agitation of the world, and the complications which daily arise in 
the relations of different nations, from the state of effervescence in which 
Europe appears to be, I trust that no obstacle will be presented, from without, 
to our march of progress ; but, on the contrary, I promise myself that, by 
punctually fulfilling all our duties, and cultivating with frankness and honor 
the friendship of other nations, modest and independent, without preferences 
or alliances which- might enchain our policy, we may attain respect and sym- 
pathy. The consideration of the great nations towards the small, goes on 
developing itself in proportion as civilization displays proof of the preconsti- 
tuted and unchangeable harmony which exists between general interests, and 
the equally inevitable sanction which chastises, if not as crimes, at least as 
faults, violations of the natural law. Thus it is that an attentive observer, in 
spite of certain exceptional facts, perceives a very considerable progress in 
international morality, with positive advantage to nations of small material 
forces ; but, to participate in .that progress, it is also indispensable that they 
show themselves worthy of it, by the severity of their policy, the rectitude of 
their measures, and the exact fulfillment of their obligations. 

With the seal of such general principles, the administration which is to-day 
inaugurated will be marked ; and thus it is that I promise to fulfill the duty of 
accrediting ourselves abroad. With neighboring nations, twins with Colombia 
in history, and of identical and very similar social conditions, we shall act as 
friends, if not as brothers, in the most cordial and loving acceptation of the 



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word. Nothing will be omitted for the establishment of a moral alliance with 
them, which may banish war forever, and be fruitful of benefits. These 
peoples, of Spanish origin, born on the same day, emancipated from the same 
mother-country in the same year, and aspiring to an analogous social and po- 
litical condition, form in reality only one nation, with great elements of power 
and progress, and without any necessity of foreign protection, because they are 
able, by themselves alone, to procure for themselves the honorable security 
which is derived from inherent power. They all were born, it is true, with hered- 
itary diseases, and they all have had a most painful infancy ; but it is now 
plainly apparent that they are reaching their manhood, and that, by tearing 
from their vitals the tumors which were devouring them, they are acquiring 
solid and lasting civilization. And — what a singular fact ! — while the old 
communities, which have so much reproached us for our frequent revolutions, 
now begin to acknowledge that the edifice in which they were sheltered is tot- 
tering, and wars commencing on all sides, seriously threaten their social order, 
Spanish America is closing her revolutionary period, regenerating herself by 
liberty, and confirming the new democratic social order. Unquestionably the 
Aurora of their peace and happiness is now exhibiting its resplendence ; and 
the steamers which plough their rivers, and the locomotives which have begun 
to traverse their deserts, presage the approach of the days promised to virtue 
and industry. Then the implacable censors of our misfortunes must acknow- 
ledge, that what appeared to be the decay and incapacity of the race, was the 
germ and exuberance of life ; and that abroad, where order was believed to 
have been established forever, they were running through flowery banks to a 
wild cataract. And it will come to pass, that the political science of the New 
World, founded on the rights of all, and to which these peoples have trusted 
their futurity for more than fifty years, will receive its definitive consecration. 

You have called my attention, in your address, to the general situation of 
the country, the prospects of the liberal cause, and my own public condition. 

I know that the general situation of the country ha^ many dark shades, 
since the recent termination of the conflicts of a violent civil war, which caused 
great devastations in material order, and perhaps still greater in moral order ; 
but it is no less true that there are great elements of reorganization, with which 
peace may soon be secured, credit re-established, and sources of material pros- 
perity opened : sources more than sufficient for their restoration. The results of 
war have always been terrible, and especially those of civil war. The condi- 
tion of the country was not better on emerging from the war of Independence. 
At that time there were not all the elements of reorganization which we now 
possess. Everything suffers from a state of conflict : material order, as well 
as moral order; matter as well as mind; but there is no reason to despair. 
Efforts will be made to raise and support interior credit, which has been so 
much depressed by inevitable causes during an obstinate and destructive 
struggle ; the branches of income to the Treasury will be administered with 



all the strictness which our necessities require ; and the most diligent solici- 
tude will be extended to all business incumbent on the federal power. 

Besides giving a steady and scrupulous attention to the reorganization of 
the service, which in a great degree constitutes the force of the government, 
I shall apply myself to the task of making the constitutional theory of the 
sovereignty of the States operate in perfect harmony with the proper exercise 
of the federal authority. That harmonious movement of the two existences 
is one of the difficulties of the federal system, arising from the usurping ten- 
dencies of the one over the other. For my part, I wish to follow in this the 
example of the immortal Jefferson, who is considered, in the United States of 
America, as the founder of local liberties during the period of his administra- 
tion, in the extension which he gave to the independent action of the States, 
by circumscribing the federal authority which the first administrations had 
extended. That is to say, that I shall secure respect for the autonomy of the 
States, as far as the preservation of the national unity and internal and exter- 
nal peace will permit ; but I will not consent that the chain shall be broken, 
or that the federal authority be disobeyed or disregarded, while acting within 
its constitutional sphere. On the harmonious but inexorable action of the two 
entities, in my opinion, depend the subsistence of the Union and the integrity of 
this territory, which is bounded by two seas, and Avhich is to become the abode 
of free citizens, who, stimulated by institutions, shall devote themselves to in- 
struction and labor, to avail themselves, as a Christian community, of the 
gifts which this country offers to us. 

I have strong confidence that, by pursuing a tolerant and enlightened po- 
licy in its forms, firm in purpose, obedient to the Constitution in its spirit and 
letter, protecting liberty, being exact in its service, resolute in requiring what 
is due and paying what is owed, peace, which is now the object of general as- 
piration, the sincere desire of the great laboring and civilized majority, the 
point of departure for every improvement, as well as for the reign of right 
and security to all and every one, will not be delayed ; and liberty, which re- 
pairs, improves and fertilizes everything, will soon crown all our wishes. 

I shall exert myself, Sir, to succeed in making all these benefits realities 
during the period of my administration ; and, if by that means I shall merit 
the gratitude of my fellow-citizens, which is surely the best of rewards for a 
republican, it will be but just, just, indeed it is, that henceforward it should 
be paid, in abundance and sincerity, to the illustrious citizen whom I have the 
honor to succeed ; because to his exemplary consecration of himself to the good 
of the Eepublic we owe the possibility of realizing all this ; while to the no- 
bility of his character the country is now indebted for a lofty example of 
obedience to its constitution, and of virtuous disinterestedness. 

M. MURILLO. 



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